Robert Byrd

Guide Note:

Robert Byrd represents West Virginia in the U.S. Senate. He is the longest-serving member of that body. Currently he is the President Pro Tempore and the highest ranking senator in office.

Fast Facts:

1. Born: November 20, 1917
2. Origin: North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
3. First Elected to Senate in 1959
4. Party: Democrat
5. Oldest member in Congress

When he was 24, he joined the Ku Klux Klan, which he now says he regrets saying "I know now I was wrong. Intolerance had no place in America. I apologized a thousand times ... and I don't mind apologizing over and over again. I can't erase what happened." His first elected position was in 1952 for the U.S. House of Representatives and he has remained in service to the US ever since, making him the longest serving member of U.S. Congress.

On May 19, 2008 Byrd announced his support for presidential candidate Barrack Obama. Many see this as significant, given Byrd's past affiliation with the Ku Klux Klan. Byrd is a superdelegate to the Democratic Party's national convention. He issued the following statement of support:

"After a great deal of thought, consideration and prayer over the situation in Iraq, I have decided that, as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, I will cast my vote for Senator Barack Obama for president. Both Senators Clinton and Obama are extraordinary individuals, whose integrity, honor, love for this country and strong belief in our Constitution I deeply respect."

"I believe that Barack Obama is a shining young statesman, who possesses the personal temperament and courage necessary to extricate our country from this costly misadventure in Iraq, and to lead our nation at this challenging time in history."

"Barack Obama is a noble-hearted patriot and humble Christian, and he has my full faith and support."

For the third time in 2008 Robert Byrd was hospitalized on June 2, 2008, after a caretaker noticed lethargy and a fever. Byrd's condition is not considered serious but he remained in a Washington DC area hospital for observation.

Byrd was hospitalized twice in March, 2008, once for a reaction to antibiotics and another after a fall at his home.